Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can differentiate into specialized cell types and have potential uses in treating diseases. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells which are derived from embryos and adult stem cells which come from adult tissues. Embryonic stem cells can become any cell type but their use is controversial due to ethical issues. Adult stem cells are more limited in their differentiation potential but do not pose the same ethical concerns. The author supports stem cell research but believes it should be regulated, especially regarding the source of embryonic stem cells.
![Dylan Wissman Mrs. Jones Stem Cell Research Paper December 11, 2009 Stem Cell Research Stem cells are very complex, useful and fascinating cells in the body because of their uses and their structure. Stem cells are the very first cells produced in the womb of the human beings mother. Stem cells are cells that have not yet got a job or function. It sounds useless but stem cells are resourceful because they can change into any type of cell in the body. While in the nine weeks of labor, the stem cells get a signal telling them what to turn into, eventually forming a fetus or the baby. Stem cells have many uses that are beyond the capability of any other cell in the human body. Their ability to change into various types of cells makes them very resourceful. They can be used to cure diseases from cancer to Parkinson’s disease. If the liver was failing the stem cells could be injected into the liver to differentiate and become liver cells to repair the liver. Stem cells have been used to cure paralyzed rats and human in stem-cell-therapy. Stem cells can also clone rats by taking the DNA of the rats and forming an identical copy. Scientists hope to use this skill to eventually clone humans in the future. Stem cells process of becoming a cell is very simple. The stem cell gets a signal from the body telling what type of cell it needs at the time. The stem cell then starts to plan and starts functions to form the parts of that certain cell. Then the stem cell is sent to the area to become part of the organ, tissue, etc. Here is when the stem cell makes its final transformation and turns into the cell and joins the other cell. There are two main types of stem cells that are used today, adult stem and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells come from either the bone marrow of the adult or the organs or tissues of the adult. The adult stem cells are gathered by donors that give parts of their tissues, organs and bone marrow. Adult stem cells are the cells that are used to repair organs and tissues that are damaged. The problem with the adult stem cells is that there is a small amount of them in the human body. While embryonic stem cells are the ones that are first found in the womb that form a fetus. Embryonic stem cells are gathered by many different sources, from the blood in the umbilical cord to the fetus that have been miscarried or have gone through abortion. One major problem with these cells is that they can form out of control tumors that often can’t be cured. I personal think that stem cell research is a positive thing and I believe that it should further be researched so scientists are able to reach the full potential of stem cells. I think that stem cells are a very good resource to have when it comes to curing diseases like cancer. Although I am for stem cells I’m against using them to clone humans or parts of the body. I’m against this because I believe God made everything natural for a reason and cloning would only take away a body’s uniqueness. If a body part or organ was need for a life or death situation, I would look at organ donors first and then maybe the cloning of a body part when that is available. Although I am for stem cell research I think that the way stem cells are obtained should also be censored. In my opinion I think that getting embryonic stem cells from a fetus that was aborted is a bad idea because I’m against abortion. Getting them from the blood of an umbilical cord, tissues and organs is just fine with me. Although, I am for getting them with a fetus that has been miscarried because I think God has done everything for a reason, and that maybe he decided that the child’s purpose was for a breakthrough in stem cell research. But it should be the choice of the parents if the fetus is used for stem cell research. So all and all I am mostly for stem cell research and for the use of stem cells. Bibliography Kalb, Claudia.
The Whole World Is Watching.
Newsweek 30 Mar. 2009: 44-46. Print. Park, Alice.
The Quest Resumes.
time 9 Feb. 2009: 39-43. Print.
Stem cells. What are Stem Cells? Where do Stem Cells come from? What are differences between embryonic, fetal and adult stem cells?.
Adult Stem Cell Therapy - Heart Disease | Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2009. ,[object Object]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/stemcellresearchpaper-100120114354-phpapp02/85/stem-cell-research-1-320.jpg)
